Scroll down the page menu on the left or the thumbnails below. Click on the ones you are interested in viewing.

Framework

Contact David Hymel, dh@stewardshippartners.org, if you need more information.

Low impact development (LID) is a relatively new strategy to land development and stormwater management that mimics natural hydrology patterns in residential and commercial site development. LID planning protects and uses a site’s natural features: native vegetation, well draining soils, topography, and natural drainages. It combines these features with a suite of small-scale stormwater practices to clean and infiltrate stormwater as close to where it starts on impervious surfaces.

LID Design Guidelines are appropriate for all parcels in the Nisqually Watershed, regardless of lot size or density. Also, financial advantages can be significant when LID is used to reduce the stormwater detention required in conventional construction. Documented studies have shown that low impact techniques are less costly to implement than standard development, with savings ranging from 10 to 20 percent depending on the LID techniques used. Download the Guidelines.

The Eatonville Community is working through a transportation planning grant from the Puget Sound Regional Council. This website will communicate that progress and other collaborative efforts now underway.

What's new:

• Town Center and Corridor Study is the primary document from the planning grant. A final report is posted by chapter. Cost estimates are included.

• Grants and Funding information from the study is posted separately with weblinks.

• Concept drawings from the study are also posted separately for easier viewing.

• Eatonville Downtown Development Association.

• Check out More Goings On for interesting side bars, including Nisqually River and Tacoma Travel videos.

Town Square Concept

Streetscape Treatment

There has been growing press coverage on Eatonville's application to the Endemol Corporation, the production company considering a town makeover video production.

Tacoma Rail Mountain Division received $3.75 million from the federal Department of Transportation to upgrade 10 miles of track between Eatonville and Frederickson in Pierce County.

An additional $700,000 from the Department of the Interior is funding an ongoing study on the feasibility of developing the Train to the Mountain. This is a passenger-tourist service from Tacoma’s Freighthouse Square to Mount Rainier. The proposed rail service (see map--East leg below Spanaway) will connect Tacoma, Frederickson, Graham, Eatonville, Elbe and Morton.

Part of that study includes developing a rural transportation plan to service the Upper Nisqually area, including visitors to Mt Rainier National Park. See documents below the map for more details on the January 25, 2007 kickoff meeting.

The greater Graham area in Pierce County has experienced a significant amount of growth during the past several decades. Some of this growth has been at the expense of the areas’ rural atmosphere. Pierce County and representatives from the community have identified a community vision, discussed issues and created policies that will assure sensible and appropriate levels of development within the plan area over the next 20 years.

The result of this work is the creation of a community plan that provides a framework for consistent land use standards in both the urban areas and in the outlying rural and natural resource lands. Higher density and intensity development is directed into urban areas, where it can be supported by urban level services and facilities. This also allows rural and natural resource areas to retain the low density, agricultural, and forested character that the community values.

General Description of the Plan Area

The Graham Community Plan area is located in south central Pierce County at the fringe of the County’s urban growth area limits. The plan area is bounded by the communities of Spanaway, Frederickson, and South Hill to the north. The northernmost limits range from 208th St. E. at the western edge up almost to 176th St. E. at SR-161 (Meridian Avenue). SR-7 (Mountain Highway) is located along the western boundary of the plan area and 352nd St. E. represents the southern boundary. The plan area extends as far east as the Puyallup River Valley. The intersection of 264th St. E. and SR-161 is roughly the geographic center of the plan area.

Download the plan. (1.2 MB)

The Nisqually Road is a 26-mile stretch of paved road, SR 7/706, between Eatonville and the Nisqually Entrance at Mount Rainier National Park. For purposes of this study it extends up the mountain to Paradise and from the Eatonville vicinity out to “feeder routes” along SR 161, SR 7, SR 702, SR507 and SR 510 into the Nisqually Basin, where they eventually tie to the Interstate 5 road corridor.

Within these road corridors is a rich mosaic of natural resources, recreational opportunities, rural and agricultural lands, wild landscapes, and small communities. The challenge for the future of this place is to retain all of its high-quality intrinsic values while enhancing use and enjoyment for visitors and residents alike. It is a balancing act that has been addressed by the many existing community land use plans and vision statements as well as a management plan for the Nisqually River Watershed.

Through the use of transportation planning strategies, the ideas presented in this document begin to knit together the many plans and initiatives of the local counties and communities to address common issues and to develop solutions that realize shared or common visions. Download the study (32 MB).

Browse the weblinks or download the attachments for more detail on these funding programs. Your grant information ideas are welcomed.

School Zone Safety--Download

Local Improvement Districts--Download

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety--Download

Transportation Enhancements--Download

Public Art--Download

Rural Washington Loan Fund--Download

Community Economic Revitalization Board--Download

Streetscape Improvements--Download

Local Infrastructure Financing Tool Competitive Program Guidelines (LIFT)--Download

Washington State Main Street Program--Download

Tourism Promotion--Download

USDA Rural Development Business Grants

USDA Housing and Community Facilities

USDA Rural Utilities Program

USDA Office of Community Development

The school district has embarked on a district-wide modernization and renovation program.

Click on the construction hard hat for more details.

Washington State Parks is planning a new, 1200-acre park with river access

about 3 miles Southwest of Eatonville on the Nisqually and Mashel Rivers.

Click on the map for more details.